Systems for laser alignment

ABSTRACT

Various methods and systems are provided for laser alignment systems, particularly laser alignment systems of medical imaging systems. In one example, a medical imaging system comprises: a gantry; and a laser mount including: a first section fixedly coupled to the gantry; a second section seated within the first section and slideable within the first section; and a third section seated within the second section and rotatable within the second section, the third section adapted to house a laser radiation source.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/197,205, filed Nov. 19, 2018, now granted as U.S. Pat. No.10,881,362, issued on Jan. 5, 2021, which is herein incorporated byreference.

FIELD

Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to laseralignment systems, particularly laser alignment systems of medicalimaging systems.

BACKGROUND

Non-invasive imaging technologies allow images of the internalstructures of a patient or object to be obtained without performing aninvasive procedure on the patient or object. In particular, technologiessuch as computed tomography (CT) use various physical principles, suchas the differential transmission of x-rays through the target volume, toacquire image data and to construct tomographic images (e.g.,three-dimensional representations of the interior of the human body orof other imaged structures).

In order to direct the x-rays of a CT system through a target volume(e.g., a patient) for imaging of the target volume, a laser alignmentsystem is often utilized to aid in positioning the target volume withinan imaging region of the CT system. The laser alignment system includeslasers that project beams of light toward the imaging region of the CTsystem. An operator of the CT system may adjust the position of thetarget volume within the imaging region in order to align a center ofthe target volume with a location of the imaging region intersected bythe beams of light of the laser alignment system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a medical imaging system comprises: a gantry; and alaser mount including: a first section fixedly coupled to the gantry; asecond section seated within the first section and slideable within thefirst section; and a third section seated within the second section androtatable within the second section, the third section adapted to housea laser radiation source.

It should be understood that the brief description above is provided tointroduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are furtherdescribed in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify keyor essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of whichis defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description.Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited toimplementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any partof this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood from reading thefollowing description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to theattached drawings, wherein below:

FIG. 1 schematically shows an imaging system including a laser alignmentsystem.

FIG. 2 shows a block schematic diagram of an imaging system including alaser alignment system.

FIG. 3 schematically shows an arrangement of lasers of a laser alignmentsystem relative to a gantry of an imaging system.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a laser mount of a laser alignmentsystem.

FIG. 5 shows a front cross-sectional view of the laser mount of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 shows a side perspective cross-sectional view of the laser mountof FIGS. 4-5 .

FIG. 7 shows a partial perspective view of a side opening of the lasermount of FIGS. 4-6 .

FIG. 8 shows a front cross-sectional view of the laser mount of FIGS.4-7 in an unlocked configuration.

FIG. 9 shows a front cross-sectional view of the laser mount of FIGS.4-8 in a locked configuration.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing alaser mount via an additive manufacturing process.

FIGS. 4-9 are shown to scale, although other relative dimensions may beused, if desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description relates to various embodiments of systems forlaser alignment, particularly laser alignment for medical imagingsystems. A medical imaging system, such as the medical imaging systemsshown schematically by FIGS. 1-2 , may include a laser alignment system,such as the laser alignment system shown schematically by FIG. 3 . Thelaser alignment system may include a laser mount, such as the lasermount shown by FIG. 4 . An arm of the laser mount may couple to theimaging system, with the arm including a slot adapted to receive aslider element of an outer housing of the laser mount. The position ofthe outer housing may be adjusted by adjusting the position of theslider element within the slot. The laser mount further includes aninner housing and a lock element each disposed within the outer housing,with the inner housing being rotatable relative to the outer housing andlockable to the outer housing via the lock element. The inner housingincludes a clamp accessible via an opening in the outer housing, asshown by FIG. 7 . The clamp is adapted to couple with a laser radiationsource such as a laser diode, as shown by FIG. 6 . In some examples, asillustrated by the flowchart of FIG. 10 , the components of the lasermount (e.g., the inner housing, outer housing, etc.) may be formedtogether from a same 3D model via an additive manufacturing process. Inan unlocked configuration, as shown by FIG. 8 , the inner housing andlock element are each separated from the outer housing by respectiveclearances, as shown by FIG. 5 . In a locked configuration, as shown byFIG. 9 , the lock element engages with the inner housing in order tolock the position of the inner housing relative to the outer housing. Inthis way, the position of the laser diode relative to the imaging systemmay be adjusted via rotation of the inner housing within the outerhousing and/or adjustment of the position of the slider element withinthe slot of the arm.

Though a CT system is described by way of example, it should beunderstood that the present systems and techniques may also be usefulwhen applied to other imaging modalities, such as tomosynthesis, C-armangiography, and so forth. The present discussion of a CT imagingmodality is provided merely as an example of one suitable imagingmodality.

Various embodiments may be implemented in connection with differenttypes of imaging systems. For example, various embodiments may beimplemented in connection with a CT imaging system in which an x-raysource projects a fan- or cone-shaped beam that is collimated to liewithin an x-y plane of a Cartesian coordinate system and generallyreferred to as an “imaging plane.” The x-ray beam passes through anobject being imaged, such as a patient. The beam, after being attenuatedby the object, impinges upon an array of radiation detectors. Theintensity of the attenuated radiation beam received at the detectorarray is dependent upon the attenuation of an x-ray beam by the object.Each detector element of the array produces a separate electrical signalthat is a measurement of the beam intensity at the detector location.The intensity measurement from all the detectors is acquired separatelyto produce a transmission profile.

In some CT systems, the x-ray source and the detector array are rotatedwith a gantry within the imaging plane and around the object to beimaged such that the angle at which the x-ray beam intersects the objectconstantly changes. A complete gantry rotation occurs when the gantryconcludes one full 360 degree revolution. A group of x-ray attenuationmeasurements (e.g., projection data) from the detector array at onegantry angle is referred to as a “view.” A view is, therefore, eachincremental position of the gantry. A “scan” of the object comprises aset of views made at different gantry angles, or view angles, during onerevolution of the x-ray source and detector.

In an axial scan, the projection data is processed to construct an imagethat corresponds to a two-dimensional slice taken through the object.Alternatively, a helical scan may be performed, wherein the patient ismoved through an opening of the gantry synchronously with the rotationof the gantry, while the data for the prescribed number of slices isacquired. In order to aid with positioning the patient relative to thegantry to acquire scans of the desired anatomy of the patient to beimaged, CT imaging systems may include a laser alignment system. Thelaser alignment system may include one or more laser mounts according tothe embodiments described herein.

Turning firstly to FIG. 1 , CT system 100 is schematically shown. CTsystem 100 is configured to allow fast and iterative imagereconstruction. Particularly, the CT system 100 is configured to image asubject 112 (e.g., a patient, an inanimate object, one or moremanufactured parts, and/or foreign objects such as dental implants,stents, and/or contrast agents present within the body). The CT system100 includes a gantry 102 (e.g., rotatable gantry), which in turn, mayfurther include at least one x-ray radiation source 104 configured toproject a beam of x-ray radiation 106 for use in imaging the patient.Specifically, the radiation source 104 is configured to project thex-rays 106 towards a detector array 108 positioned on the opposite sideof the gantry 102. Although FIG. 1 depicts only a single radiationsource 104, multiple radiation sources may be employed to project aplurality of x-rays 106 for acquiring projection data corresponding tothe patient at different energy levels.

The CT system 100 may further include an image processing unit 110configured to reconstruct images of a target volume of the patient usingan iterative or analytic image reconstruction method. For example, theimage processing unit 110 may use an analytic image reconstructionapproach such as filtered backprojection (FBP) to reconstruct images ofa target volume of the patient. As another example, the image processingunit 110 may use an iterative image reconstruction approach such asadvanced statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR), conjugate gradient(CG), maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM), model-basediterative reconstruction (MBIR), and so on to reconstruct images of atarget volume of the patient.

CT system 100 includes laser alignment system 130 (indicatedschematically in FIG. 1 ). Laser alignment system 130 includes at leastone laser radiation source (e.g., laser diode) configured to produce abeam of visible light (e.g., red light, such as light having awavelength of approximately 625 nanometers). The light produced by eachlaser may be utilized by an operator of the CT system 100 (e.g., aradiologist) in order to aid with aligning the area of interest of thesubject 112 (e.g., the region of the subject 112 to be imaged by the CTsystem 100) with the beam of x-ray radiation 106 used to image thesubject. For example, the beams of visible light produced by each laserof the laser alignment system 130 may be configured to intersect at alocation along a path of the beam of x-ray radiation 106. The operatorof the CT system 100 may identify the portion of the subject 112 to beintersected by the beam of x-ray radiation 106 based on the position ofthe beams of visible light produced by the lasers of the laser alignmentsystem 103 relative to the subject 112. In one example, each laser ofthe laser alignment system 130 may be configured to intersect at amidpoint of gantry 102 (e.g., a location along a central axis of thegantry 102). Further examples of laser alignment systems similar tolaser alignment system 103 are described below with reference to FIGS.2-9 .

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary imaging system 200 similar to the CTsystem 100 of FIG. 1 . In accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure, the system 200 is configured to perform automatic exposurecontrol. The system 200 may include the detector array 108 (see FIG. 1). The detector array 108 further includes a plurality of detectorelements 202 that together sense the x-ray beams 106 (see FIG. 1 ) thatpass through a subject 204 such as a patient to acquire correspondingprojection data. Accordingly, the detector array 108 may be fabricatedin a multi-slice configuration including the plurality of rows of cellsor detector elements 202. In such a configuration, one or moreadditional rows of the detector elements 202 are arranged in a parallelconfiguration for acquiring the projection data.

The system 200 may be configured to traverse different angular positionsaround the subject 204 for acquiring desired projection data.Accordingly, the gantry 102 and the components mounted thereon may beconfigured to rotate about a center of rotation 206 for acquiring theprojection data, for example, at different energy levels. Alternatively,where a projection angle relative to the subject 204 varies as afunction of time, the mounted components may be configured to move alonga general curve rather than along a segment of a circle.

The system 200 may include a control mechanism 208 to control movementof the components such as rotation of the gantry 102 and the operationof the x-ray radiation source 104. The control mechanism 208 may furtherinclude an x-ray controller 210 configured to provide power and timingsignals to the radiation source 104. Additionally, the control mechanism208 includes a gantry motor controller 212 configured to control arotational speed and/or position of the gantry 102 based on imagingrequirements.

The control mechanism 208 may further include a data acquisition system(DAS) 214 configured to sample analog data received from the detectorelements 202 and convert the analog data to digital signals forsubsequent processing. The data sampled and digitized by the DAS 214 istransmitted to a computing device (also referred to as processor) 216.In one example, the computing device 216 stores the data in a storagedevice 218. The storage device 218, for example, may include a hard diskdrive, a floppy disk drive, a compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) drive, aDigital Versatile Disc (DVD) drive, a flash drive, and/or a solid-statestorage device.

Additionally, the computing device 216 provides commands and parametersto one or more of the DAS 214, the x-ray controller 210, and the gantrymotor controller 212 for controlling system operations such as dataacquisition and/or processing. The computing device 216 may controlsystem operations based on operator input. The computing device 216receives the operator input, for example, including commands and/orscanning parameters via an operator console 220 operatively coupled tothe computing device 216. The operator console 220 may include akeyboard (not shown) or a touchscreen, as non-limiting examples, toallow the operator to specify the commands and/or scanning parameters.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates only one operator console 220, more than oneoperator console may be coupled to the system 200, for example, forinputting or outputting system parameters, requesting examinations,and/or viewing images. Further, the system 200 may be coupled tomultiple displays, printers, workstations, and/or similar deviceslocated either locally or remotely, for example, within an institutionor hospital, or in an entirely different location via one or moreconfigurable wired and/or wireless networks such as the Internet and/orvirtual private networks.

For example, the system 200 may either include, or may be coupled to apicture archiving and communications system (PACS) 224. The PACS 224 maybe further coupled to a remote system such as a radiology departmentinformation system, hospital information system, and/or to an internaland/or external network (not shown) to allow operators at differentlocations to supply commands and parameters and/or gain access to theimage data.

The computing device 216 uses the operator-supplied and/orsystem-defined commands and parameters to operate a table motorcontroller 226, which in turn, may control a motorized table 228.Particularly, the table motor controller 226 moves the table 228 forappropriately positioning the subject 204 in the gantry for acquiringprojection data corresponding to the target volume of the subject 204.

As previously noted, the DAS 214 samples and digitizes the projectiondata acquired by the detector elements 202. Subsequently, an imagereconstructor 230 uses the sampled and digitized x-ray data to performhigh-speed reconstruction. Although FIG. 2 illustrates the imagereconstructor 230 as a separate entity, the image reconstructor 230 mayform part of the computing device 216. Alternatively, the imagereconstructor 230 may be absent from the system 200 and instead thecomputing device 216 may perform one or more functions of the imagereconstructor 230. Moreover, the image reconstructor 230 may be locatedlocally or remotely, and may be operatively connected to the system 200using a wired or wireless network. Particularly, computing resources ina “cloud” network cluster may be used for the image reconstructor 230.

The image reconstructor 230 may store the images reconstructed in thestorage device 218. Additionally or alternatively, the imagereconstructor 230 transmits the reconstructed images to the computingdevice 216 for generating useful patient information for diagnosis andevaluation. The computing device 216 may transmit the reconstructedimages and/or the patient information to a display 232 communicativelycoupled to the computing device 216 and/or the image reconstructor 230.The display 232 may allow the operator to evaluate the imaged anatomy.The display 232 may also allow the operator to select a volume ofinterest (VOI) and/or request patient information, for example, via agraphical user interface (GUI) for a subsequent scan or processing.

Imaging system 200 includes a laser alignment system similar to thelaser alignment system 130 described above with reference to FIG. 1 .Specifically, imaging system 200 includes a plurality of laser radiationsources 205 (e.g., laser diodes) positioned around opening 207 of gantry102 (e.g., the opening through which the subject 204 to be imaged ispositioned). In some examples, each of the lasers 205 may be configuredto produce a beam of visible light directed toward (e.g., intersecting)the center of rotation 206. Lasers 205 are shown schematically by FIG. 2. In some examples, each laser 205 may be positioned entirely within aninterior of gantry 102 (e.g., positioned within a housing of the gantry102, such that each laser 205 is not visible at an exterior of thehousing of the gantry 102), and each beam of light produced by thelasers 205 may pass through a corresponding aperture of the gantry 102toward the axis of rotation 206 (e.g., in order to project onto thesubject 204 to indicate the position of the subject 204 relative to thegantry 102 and axis of rotation 206). In the example shown by FIG. 2 ,the laser alignment system includes six lasers 205. However, in otherexamples, the laser alignment system may include a different numberand/or relative arrangement of lasers 205 (e.g., three, four, etc.). Anexample of another laser alignment system similar to the laser alignmentsystem of FIG. 2 and the laser alignment system 130 of FIG. 1 isdescribed below with reference to FIG. 3 .

FIG. 3 schematically shows another example of a CT imaging system 300,similar to the CT system 100 shown by FIG. 1 and described above and/orthe imaging system 200 shown by FIG. 2 and described above. Imagingsystem 300 includes gantry 301 (e.g., rotatable gantry), similar togantry 102 described above. Gantry 301 includes opening 322 adapted toreceive a subject 312 (e.g., a patient, indicated schematically in FIG.3 ) to be imaged by the imaging system 300. For example, CT imagingsystem 300 may include at least one x-ray radiation source andcorresponding detector array, similar to x-ray radiation source 104 anddetector array 108 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-2 .

CT imaging system 300 further includes a laser alignment system 305,similar to the laser alignment systems described above with reference toFIGS. 1-2 . In the example shown by FIG. 3 , laser alignment system 305includes a plurality of laser radiation sources (e.g., laser diodes)mounted within an interior of a housing 303 of the gantry 301 of the CTimaging system 300 (e.g., mounted within gantry 301). For example, eachof the laser radiation sources may be fixedly coupled to one or moremounting plates positioned within the interior of the housing 303, withthe mounting plates encircling opening 322 of the gantry 301 within theinterior. In some examples, one or more of the laser radiation sourcesmay be fixedly coupled to the one or more mounting plates via anadditional bracket or mounting device (e.g., in order to reinforce thecoupling between the laser radiation sources and the mounting plates).Laser alignment system 305 includes six lasers, similar to the exampleshown by FIG. 2 . Specifically, laser alignment system 305 includesfirst laser 302, second laser 304, third laser 306, fourth laser 308,fifth laser 310, and a sixth laser (not shown) positioned opposite tofirst laser 302 across central axis 316 of the CT imaging system 300(e.g., similar to the example shown by FIG. 2 and described above). Inother examples, laser alignment system 305 may include a differentnumber of lasers (e.g., four, five, etc.). Each of the lasers of thelaser alignment system is mounted to the CT imaging system 300 via acorresponding laser mount, similar to the laser mount described belowwith reference to FIGS. 4-9 .

In order to aid with positioning the subject 312 at the desired locationwithin the imaging area of the CT imaging system 300 (e.g., centeringthe subject 312 within the opening 322, such that a center 314 of theportion of the subject 312 to be imaged is intersected by the beam ofx-rays produced by the x-ray radiation source of the CT imaging system300), the lasers of the laser alignment system 305 produce beams ofvisible light (e.g., red light, such as light having a wavelength ofapproximately 625 nanometers) which may indicate the position of thesubject relative to the beam of x-rays produced by the x-ray radiationsource. In some examples, each beam of visible light produced by thelasers may project into the opening 322 through a respective aperture ofthe gantry 301.

The beam of x-rays produced by the x-ray radiation source of the CTimaging system 300 may be configured to intersect with central axis 316of the CT imaging system 300 during conditions in which the CT imagingsystem 300 performs a scan of subject 312. In order to image the desiredportion of subject 312, an operator of the CT imaging system 300 (e.g.,a radiologist) may adjust the position of the subject 312 within theopening 322 and position the center 314 of the portion of subject 312 tobe imaged at the location at which the beam of x-rays intersects withthe central axis 316 (e.g., the axis of rotation of gantry 301, similarto center of rotation 206 described above with reference to FIG. 2 ).Because the wavelength of the x-rays produced by the x-ray radiationsource is outside of the visible light spectrum (and further, becausethe x-ray radiation source may not be energized to produce the beam ofx-rays during positioning of the subject 312 within the opening 322 inorder to reduce an amount of exposure of the subject 312 to the beam ofx-rays prior to imaging of the subject 312), the beams of visible lightproduced by the lasers of the laser alignment system 305 may providevisible indicators to the operator of the CT imaging system 300 in orderto aid with positioning the center 314 of the portion of subject 312 tobe imaged at the location at which the beam of x-rays intersects withthe central axis 316.

For example, first laser 302 may be configured to produce a first lightprojection 320, second laser 304 and fifth laser 310 may be configuredto produce a second light projection 317, third laser 306 and fourthlaser 308 may be configured to produce a third light projection 318, andthe sixth laser may be configured to produce a fourth light projection(not shown) positioned opposite to the first light projection 320 acrosscentral axis 316. During conditions in which the subject 312 ispositioned within the opening 322, the first light projection 320,second light projection 317, third light projection 318, and fourthlight projection may each illuminate portions of the subject 312 inorder to indicate the position of the subject 312 relative to theintersection of the beam of x-rays with the central axis 316.Specifically, the first light projection 320 and fourth light projectionilluminate opposing sides of the subject 312 in order to indicate theposition of the subject 312 relative to the central axis 316 in thedirection of the z-axis of reference axes 399 (e.g., the verticaldirection of the CT imaging system 300 relative to a ground surface onwhich the CT imaging system 300 sits). The second light projection 317illuminates a top end of the subject 312 in order to indicate theposition of the subject 312 relative to the central axis 316 in thedirection of the y-axis of reference axes 399. The third lightprojection 318 illuminates the top end of the subject 312 in a directionperpendicular to the second light projection 317 in order to indicatethe position of the subject 312 relative to the central axis 316 in thedirection of the x-axis of reference axes 399 (with the x-axis beingperpendicular to the y-axis). For example, each of the first lightprojection 320, second light projection 317, third light projection 318,and fourth light projection may be a line of laser light projected ontothe subject 312, as shown by FIG. 3 . In other examples, the first lightprojection 320, second light projection 317, third light projection 318,and/or fourth light projection may be shaped differently (e.g., may beshaped as dots, crosshairs, etc.).

The position of each of the first light projection 320, second lightprojection 317, third light projection 318, and fourth light projectionmay be adjusted by adjusting the position of the corresponding lasers ofthe laser alignment system 305. For example, during assembly and/ormaintenance of the CT imaging system 300 (e.g., conditions in which aportion of the housing 303 of the CT imaging system 300 is moved and/orremoved in order to enable access to components housed within theinterior of the housing 303), the position of one or more of the lasersof the laser alignment system 305 (e.g., first laser 302, second laser304, third laser 306, fourth laser 308, fifth laser 310, and/or thesixth laser) may be adjusted (e.g., rotated or otherwise moved) viaadjustment of the corresponding laser mounts of the lasers. As oneexample, the position of the first light projection 320 may be adjustedby adjusting the position of the first laser 302 relative to the gantry301. In order to adjust the position of the first laser 302 relative tothe gantry 301, one or more components of the laser mount coupling thefirst laser 302 to the gantry 301 may be rotated or otherwise moved. Forexample, the laser mount coupling the first laser 302 to the gantry 301may include elements that enable the first laser 302 to rotate andtranslate relative to the gantry 301, similar to the laser mountdescribed below with reference to FIGS. 4-9 . Adjusting the position ofthe first laser 302 via the laser mount coupling the first laser 302 tothe gantry 301 may adjust the position of the first light projection320. In this way, the position of the first light projection 320 may beadjusted such that the vertical position of first light projection 320(e.g., the position of the first light projection 320 in the directionof the z-axis of reference axes 399) is aligned with the verticalposition of the central axis 316.

Although the first laser 302 and first light projection 320 aredescribed above as an example, the second laser 304, third laser 306,fourth laser 308, fifth laser 310, and/or sixth laser may be adjusted ina similar way (e.g., via adjustment of a respective laser mount coupledto each corresponding laser) in order to adjust the position of thecorresponding light projection (e.g., the second light projection 317,third light projection 318, and/or fourth light projection). Forexample, in order to adjust the position of the second light projection317 (e.g., to align the second light projection 317 with the centralaxis 316 in the direction of the x-axis of reference axes 399), theposition of second laser 304 may be adjusted via adjustment of the lasermount coupling the second laser 304 to the gantry 301 and/or theposition of the fifth laser 310 may be adjusted via adjustment of thelaser mount coupling the fifth laser 310 to the gantry 301. The positionof the third light projection 318 may be adjusted in a similar way(e.g., via adjustment of the laser mount coupling the third laser 306 tothe gantry 301 and/or adjustment of the laser mount coupling the fourthlaser 308 to the gantry 301). Additionally, the position of the fourthlight projection may be adjusted in a similar way (e.g., adjustment ofthe laser mount coupling the sixth laser to the gantry 301). Each of thelaser mounts described above may be similar to the laser mount describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 4-9 .

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a laser mount 400 (which may bereferred to herein as a mount) which may be included within an imagingsystem, such as the CT system 100, imaging system 200, and/or CT imagingsystem 300 described above, which may each be referred to herein asmedical imaging systems. Similar to the examples described above, lasermount 400 may be included by a laser alignment system of the imagingsystem (e.g., laser alignment system 305 described above with referenceto FIG. 3 ) and may couple a corresponding laser radiation source (e.g.,laser diode) to the imaging system. For example, laser mount 400 may bepositioned within an interior of a gantry of the imaging system (e.g.,similar to gantry 102 or gantry 301 described above), and the positionof one or more components of the laser mount 400 may be adjusted inorder to adjust the position of the laser and the position of thecorresponding beam of visible light produced by the laser. In oneexample, each laser mount of the first laser 302, second laser 304,third laser 306, fourth laser 308, fifth laser 310, and sixth laserdescribed above with reference to FIG. 3 may be similar to the lasermount 400.

Laser mount 400 includes an arm 406 (which may be referred to herein asa first section of the laser mount 400) adapted to fixedly couple thelaser mount 400 to the imaging system (e.g., to the gantry of theimaging system) via bracket 402. As referred to herein, fixedly couplingthe arm 406 to the gantry via the bracket 402 describes coupling the arm406 to the gantry in such a way that the arm 406 is not moveablerelative to the gantry. Specifically, the arm 406 may not move (e.g.,rotate and/or translate) relative to the gantry during conditions inwhich the arm 406 is fixedly coupled to the gantry by the bracket 402.Bracket 402 includes openings 404 (e.g., holes), with each opening 404adapted to receive a fastener (e.g., a bolt). Fasteners may be insertedthrough the openings 404 and through corresponding openings of theimaging system in order to fixedly couple the laser mount 400 to theimaging system.

The arm 406 includes a slot 410 adapted to receive a slideable element412 of the laser mount 400. Slideable element 412 may be seated withinthe slot 410, and the position of the slideable element 412 relative tothe arm 406 may be adjusted by sliding the slideable element 412 withinthe slot 410 along axis 416. For example, the slideable element 412 maymove in a first direction 444 along axis 416 in order to move away frombracket 402. Slideable element 412 may additionally move in an opposing,second direction 446 along axis 416 in order to move toward bracket 402.Movement of the slideable element 412 in the first direction 444 andsecond direction 446 may be referred to herein as movement (e.g.,translational movement) with one degree of freedom. For example,movement of the slideable element 412 within the slot 410 with the onedegree of freedom does not include moving the slideable element 412 indirections other than the first direction 444 and second direction 446,and does not include rotation of the slideable element 412 within theslot 410.

The position of the slideable element 412 within the slot 410 may belocked via a lock mechanism including a first lock element 408 and asecond lock element 422. The first lock element 408 and second lockelement 422 may be referred to herein collectively as the lock mechanismof the laser mount 400. In one example, the first lock element 408 maybe a fastener (e.g., a bolt) including a shank 413 (shown by FIG. 5 )inserted through each of the slot 410 and the slideable element 412. Forexample, the slideable element 412 may include a passage 411 (shown byFIGS. 5, 6 , and 8-9) adapted to receive the shank 413 of the first lockelement 408. In one example, the passage 411 may include counterpartthreads adapted to engage with threads of the shank 413 of the firstlock element 408. As the first lock element 408 is tightened against thearm 406 by further engaging the threads of the first lock element 408with the counterpart threads of the passage of the slideable element 412and engaging the first lock element 408 with the second lock element 422as described below, the lock mechanism may lock the slideable element412 to the slot 410 such that the slideable element 412 does not move(e.g., slide) within the slot 410.

The engagement of the first lock element 408 with the second lockelement 422 may maintain a position of the first lock element 408relative to the slideable element 412, such that during conditions inwhich the position of the slideable element 412 is locked by the lockmechanism, the engagement of the first lock element 408 with the secondlock element 422 maintains the lock mechanism in the lockedconfiguration. As the first lock element 408 is loosened from the arm406 by disengaging the threads of the first lock element 408 with thecounterpart threads of the passage of the slideable element 412 anddisengaging the first lock element 408 from the second lock element 422,the slideable element 412 may be unlocked such that the slideableelement 412 is able to slide within the slot 410 along axis 416. Thelocking and unlocking of the slideable element 412 is described infurther detail below with reference to FIGS. 8-9 .

The first lock element 408 may be tightened against the arm 406 via asingle input of the lock mechanism (e.g., head 415 of first lock element408) in order to adjust the engagement of the first lock element 408with the second lock element 422. For example, the head 415 may berotated in a first direction in order to drive the first lock element408 against the second lock element 422 to adjust the lock mechanismfrom the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration (e.g.,adjust the slideable element 412 from a condition in which the slideableelement 412 is free to slide within the slot 410 in the direction 444 ordirection 446, to a condition in which the position of the slideableelement 412 is locked within the slot 410). Further, the head 415 may berotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction in orderto drive the first lock element 408 away from the second lock element422 to adjust the lock mechanism from the locked configuration to theunlocked configuration (e.g., adjust the slideable element 412 from thecondition in which the position of the slideable element 412 is lockedwithin the slot 410, to the condition in which the slideable element 412is free to slide within the slot 410 in the direction 444 or direction446). In this way, the position of the slideable element 412 may belocked or unlocked relative to the slot 410 via the single input of thelock mechanism. Further, locking the position of the slideable element412 via the single input may additionally lock a position of innerhousing 426 relative to outer housing 424, and unlocking the position ofthe slideable element 412 relative to the slot 410 as described abovevia the single input may additionally unlock a position of the innerhousing 426 relative to the outer housing 424, as described furtherbelow.

Slideable element 412 is joined to outer housing 424 of the laser mount400 by extension 420. In one example, each of the slideable element 412,outer housing 424, and extension 420 is formed together as a single,continuous piece (e.g., a single unit). The slideable element 412, outerhousing 424, and extension 420 may be referred to herein collectively asa second section of the laser mount 400. In each example, the slideableelement 412, outer housing 424, and extension 420 are not moveablerelative to each other. For example, as the slideable element 412 moves(e.g., slides) within the slot 410 as described above in the firstdirection 444, the outer housing 424 and extension 420 similarly move inthe first direction 444 due to the outer housing 424, slideable element412, and extension 420 being fixedly joined to each other. By adjustingthe position of the slideable element 412 within the slot 410, theposition of the extension 420 and the outer housing 424 is similarlyadjusted.

The laser mount 400 further includes an inner housing 426 disposed(e.g., seated) within the outer housing 424. The inner housing 426 maybe referred to herein as a third section of the laser mount 400. Innerhousing 426 is seated within the outer housing 424 and is rotatablerelative to the outer housing 424 during conditions in which the lasermount 400 is in an unlocked condition, as described further below.However, during conditions in which the laser mount 400 is in a lockedcondition (e.g., a condition in which second lock element 422 pressesagainst the inner housing 426, as described further below), the innerhousing 426 is not rotatable relative to the outer housing 424.

During conditions in which the laser mount 400 is in the unlockedcondition, the inner housing 426 is rotatable within the outer housing424 with three degrees of freedom (e.g., three mutually orthogonalrotational degrees of freedom). Specifically, the inner housing 426 mayrotate with a first degree of freedom in a first direction 456 and anopposing, second direction 458 around axis 418, the inner housing 426may rotate with a second degree of freedom in a third direction 448 andan opposing, fourth direction 450 around axis 442, and the inner housing426 may rotate with a third degree of freedom in a fifth direction 452and an opposing, sixth direction 454 around axis 414, with the axes 418,442, and 414 being mutually perpendicular (e.g., orthogonal) to eachother (e.g., axis 418 is positioned parallel with the y-axis ofreference axes 499, axis 442 is positioned parallel with the x-axis ofreference axes 499, and axis 414 is positioned parallel with the z-axisof reference axes 499). The inner housing 426 further includes aplurality of protrusions (e.g., first protrusion 428, second protrusion430, and third protrusion 432) configured to reduce a likelihood thatthe inner housing 426 is rotated outside of a pre-determined range ofrotation.

As one example, prior to rotating the inner housing 426, the innerhousing 426 may be in the initial position shown by FIG. 4 (e.g.,corresponding to 0 degrees of rotation around the axes 418, 442, and414). The first protrusion 428, second protrusion 430, and thirdprotrusion 432 may be positioned such that the inner housing 426 may berotated in the direction 452 by 10 degrees relative to the initialposition shown by FIG. 4 , at which point the third protrusion 432engages with the outer housing 424 (e.g., presses against the outerhousing 424) and prevents further rotation of the inner housing 426 inthe direction 452 (e.g., prevents the inner housing 426 from beingrotated in the direction 452 by more than 10 degrees relative to theinitial position). Similarly, from the initial position, the innerhousing 426 may be rotated by 10 degrees in the direction 448, at whichpoint the second protrusion 430 and third protrusion 432 engage with theouter housing 424 and prevent further rotation of the inner housing 426in the direction 448. However, in some examples, rotating the innerhousing 426 in either of the direction 458 or direction 456 may notengage the first protrusion 428, second protrusion 430, or the thirdprotrusion 432 with the outer housing 424. As a result, range ofrotation of the inner housing 426 in the direction 458 or the direction456 may be 360 degrees. Although the range of rotation of the innerhousing 426 from the initial position around the axes 414 and 442 isdescribed as 10 degrees above, in other examples, the range of rotationmay be a different amount (e.g., 5 degrees, 15 degrees, etc.).

By enabling the inner housing 426 to rotate relative to the outerhousing 424 as described above, and by enabling the slideable element412 to move within the slot 410 as described above, the inner housing426 is movable with four degrees of freedom (e.g., three rotationaldegrees of freedom corresponding to rotation around axes 418, 442, and414, and one translational degree of freedom corresponding totranslation in direction 444 and opposing direction 446).

The inner housing 426 includes an annular section 439 shaped to couplewith a laser radiation source (e.g., laser diode). The annular section439 forms a clamp 436 having openings 434, with the openings 434 adaptedto receive a fastener (e.g., a bolt). Further, outer housing 424includes at least one opening 438 extending through a thickness 429 ofthe outer housing 424 in a radial direction of the outer housing 424(along radial axis 443 extending radially relative to a center of athrough-hole of the outer housing 424 adapted house and encircle theinner housing 426, for example) configured to enable the fastener to bemore easily inserted through each of the openings 434. Similarly, innerhousing 426 includes at least one opening 441 extending through athickness 427 of the inner housing 426 in a radial direction of theinner housing 426 (along radial axis 443 extending radially relative toa center of rotation of the inner housing 426 corresponding to anintersection of axes 442, 418, and 414, for example) configured to alignwith a corresponding opening 438 of the outer housing 424. The opening438 may radially align with the opening 441 (e.g., axis 443 may becoaxial with axis 447) such that the fastener may be inserted througheach of the opening 438 and the opening 441.

For example, a threaded fastener may be inserted through opening 438 ofthe outer housing 424 and coupled to the clamp 436 of the annularsection 439 of the inner housing 426 at each of the openings 434. In oneexample, the fastener may be fastened to the clamp 436 by a nut havingcounterpart threads adapted to engage with the threads of the fastener.By tightening the threads of the nut against the threads of the fastener(e.g., further engaging the threads of the nut with the threads of thefastener), the clamp 436 and annular section 439 may be compressedaround the laser in order to maintain the position of the laserradiation source relative to the inner housing 426 (e.g., fixedly couplethe laser radiation source with the inner housing 426). For example, aninner surface 455 of the annular section 439 may be compressed againstouter surfaces of the laser radiation source via compression of theclamp 436 by the fastener inserted through the openings 434 in order tolock the laser to the annular section 439. The fastener may apply forceto opposing sides of the clamp 436 (e.g., at the opposing openings 434)in order to press the inner surface 455 against the outer surfaces ofthe laser radiation source. An example of a laser 600 coupled with theannular section 439 is shown by FIG. 6 and described further below.

During conditions in which the laser is coupled to the annular section439 as described above, adjusting the position of the inner housing 426by rotating the inner housing 426 within the outer housing 424 and/ormoving the inner housing 426 by moving the slideable element 412 withinthe slot 410, the position of the laser is similarly adjusted. As oneexample, because the laser is fixedly coupled to the annular section 439of the inner housing 426, rotating the inner housing 426 in thedirection 456 similarly rotates the laser in the direction 456 by thesame amount. As another example, moving the slideable element 412 withinthe slot 410 in the direction 444 similarly moves the outer housing 424and inner housing 426 in the direction 444 by the same amount, andbecause the laser is fixedly coupled to the inner housing 426, the laseris similarly moved in the direction 444 by the same amount. In this way,the laser is movable with four degrees of freedom (e.g., the same fourdegrees of freedom through which the inner housing 426 is movable, asdescribed above). By configuring the laser to be movable via the lasermount 400 in this way, an operator of the imaging system may more easilyadjust the position of the laser (e.g., in order to adjust the positionof a beam of visible light produced by the laser, similar to the exampledescribed above with reference to FIG. 3 ).

Turning now to FIG. 5 , a cross-sectional view of the laser mount 400 isshown. The view shown by FIG. 5 is along a cross-sectional plane definedby the z-axis and x-axis of the reference axes 499 of FIG. 4 . FIG. 5illustrates clearances between the inner housing 426, the outer housing424, and the second lock element 422 via first inset 500 and secondinset 502.

Second lock element 422 is configured to lock the rotation of the innerhousing 426 relative to the outer housing 424 during conditions in whichthe laser mount 400 is in the locked configuration. Second lock element422 is shaped to surround a portion of the inner housing 426 at alocation opposite to the clamp 436. During conditions in which the lasermount 400 is in the unlocked configuration (e.g., the configuration inwhich the second lock element 422 does not lock the rotation of theinner housing 426 relative to the outer housing 424), the second lockelement 422 is separated from the inner housing 426 by a clearance 504(e.g., a gap), as shown by the enlarged view of first inset 500.However, during conditions in which the laser mount 400 is in the lockedconfiguration (e.g., the configuration in which the second lock element422 locks the rotation of the inner housing 426 relative to the outerhousing 424), the clearance 504 is decreased such that the second lockelement 422 engages in direct, face-sharing contact with the innerhousing 426. Face-sharing contact between the second lock element 422and the inner housing 426 as described herein refers to the surfaces ofthe second lock element 422 directly contacting the surfaces of theinner housing 426, with no other components positioned between thesurfaces of the second lock element 422 and the surfaces of the innerhousing 426. The locked and unlocked configurations are describedfurther below with reference to FIGS. 8-9 .

Further, a clearance 506 is formed between the second lock element 422and the outer housing 424. In some examples, during conditions in whichthe laser mount 400 is in the locked configuration, the clearance 506may be reduced relative to conditions in which the laser mount 400 is inthe unlocked condition.

As shown by the enlarged view of second inset 502, a clearance 508 isformed between the inner housing 426 and the outer housing 424.Clearance 508 may extend around an entire outer surface of the innerhousing 426, such that the inner housing 426 is separated from the outerhousing 424 by the clearance 508 at each location along the entire outersurface of the inner housing 426. The clearance 508 enables the innerhousing 426 to rotate relative to the outer housing 424 without theouter housing 424 interfering with the motion of the inner housing 426.As described further below, in some examples, the laser mount 400 andits components (e.g., the inner housing 426, outer housing 424, secondlock element 422, etc.) may be formed via an additive manufacturingprocess (e.g., 3D printing). Forming the laser mount 400 and itscomponents in this way may enable the size of the clearances to bereduced (e.g., reduce the size of clearances 506, 504, and/or 508) andmay increase a reliability of the operation of the laser mount 400(e.g., decrease a likelihood of undesirable interference betweencomponents of the laser mount 400).

FIG. 6 shows another cross-sectional view of the laser mount 400. Thecross-sectional plane of FIG. 6 is defined by the z-axis and y-axis ofreference axes 499 of FIG. 4 . In the view shown by FIG. 6 , a laserradiation source 600 (e.g., laser diode) is coupled to the inner housing426 of the laser mount 400, as described above. Specifically, the laser600 is coupled to the inner housing 426 via clamp 436 as describedabove, such that adjusting the position of the inner housing 426 (e.g.,rotating the inner housing 426 within the outer housing 424) similarlyadjusts the position of the laser 600. The laser 600 may beelectronically coupled to the imaging system via one or more electricalconnections (e.g., wires, such as electrical connector 602). Arrow 604indicates a direction of a beam of visible light emitted by the laser600. By rotating the inner housing 426 within the outer housing 424, thelaser 600 is similarly rotated and the direction of arrow 604 issimilarly rotated. For example, rotating the inner housing 426 in thedirection 454 shown by FIG. 4 similarly rotates the laser 600 in thedirection 454 by a same amount. As a result, the direction of the beamof visible light produced by the laser and indicated by arrow 604 issimilarly rotated in the direction 454. Adjusting the position of theinner housing 426 during conditions in which the laser 600 is coupled tothe inner housing 426 may similarly adjust the position of the beam ofvisible light produced by the laser 600. In this way, the operator ofthe imaging system may adjust the position of the beam of visible lightproduced by the laser 600 in order to aid with imaging of the subject,similar to the examples described above (e.g., with reference to FIG. 3).

Although the laser mount 400 is described herein as coupleable with alaser radiation source, in other examples the laser mount 400 may couplewith a different type of component relative to laser 600. For example,the inner housing 426 may couple with a sensor (e.g., light sensor,acoustic sensor, etc.) via clamp 436 in order to enable a position ofthe sensor to be adjusted in a similar way relative to the adjustment ofthe laser 600 as described above.

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of a lower portion of the laser mount 400.Specifically, FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of opening 438, describedabove with reference to FIG. 4 . The opening 438 is formed in the outerhousing 424 and enables the clamp 436 to be more easily accessed (e.g.,in order to couple and/or decouple the laser 600, shown by FIG. 6 ,to/from the inner housing 426). For example, as described above, afastener may be inserted through the opening 438 and into the openings434 of the inner housing 426 in order to compress the clamp 436 andmaintain the coupled position of the laser 600 relative to the innerhousing 426.

Turning now to FIGS. 8-9 , cross-sectional views of the laser mount 400are shown, similar to the cross-sectional view shown by FIG. 5 . FIG. 8shows the laser mount 400 in the unlocked configuration described above,and FIG. 9 shows the laser mount 400 in the locked configurationdescribed above.

As shown by FIGS. 8-9 , the slideable element 412 includes a first end806 and a second end 808, with the first end 806 positioned further fromthe bracket 402 (shown by FIGS. 3-4 ) than the second end 808 duringconditions in which the slideable element 412 is seated within the slot410 of the arm 406. The slideable element 412 includes a plurality ofnotches 804 configured to increase a flexibility of the slideableelement 412. In the example shown by FIGS. 8-9 , the slideable element412 includes two notches positioned at opposing sides of the slideableelement 412. However, in other examples, the slideable element 412 mayinclude a different number of notches (e.g. three, four, etc.).

During conditions in which the laser mount 400 is in the unlockedconfiguration, the slideable element 412 is seated within the slot 410such that a clearance 802 (e.g., a gap) is formed between the slideableelement 412 and a top, inner surface 803 of the arm 406 forming the slot410. The clearance 802 enables the slideable element 412 to move withinthe slot 410 as described above (e.g., slide along axis 416). By movingthe slideable element 412 within the slot 410, the position of the innerhousing 426 and outer housing 424 relative to the arm 406 may beadjusted. Because the arm 406 may be fixedly coupled to the imagingsystem (e.g., coupled to the gantry of the imaging system), moving theslideable element 412 within the slot 410 adjusts the position of theinner housing 426 and outer housing 424 relative to the imaging system.In this way, a position of a laser coupled to the inner housing 426(e.g., laser 600 shown by FIG. 6 and described above) may be similarlyadjusted by adjusting the position of the inner housing 426 and outerhousing 424 via the slideable element 412.

As shown by inset 800, during conditions in which the laser mount 400 isin the unlocked configuration, a clearance 811 (e.g., a gap) is formedbetween an end surface 610 (e.g., terminal surface or terminal end) ofthe second lock element 422 and an end surface 608 (e.g., terminalsurface or terminal end) of the first lock element 408 (e.g., endsurface 608 of shank 413 of the first lock element 408) inserted throughthe slideable element 412. In this configuration, the end surface 608 ofthe first lock element 408 may not be in direct face-sharing contactwith the end surface 610 of the second lock element 422. As a result,the second lock element 422 is not pressed into engagement with theinner housing 426 and does not lock the rotation of the inner housing426.

However, during conditions in which the laser mount 400 is in the lockedconfiguration as shown by FIG. 9 , the end surface 608 of the first lockelement 408 is pressed against the end surface 610 of the second lockelement 422. Pressing the end surface 608 of the first lock element 408against the end surface 610 of the second lock element 422 as shown byinset 900 closes the clearance 811 between the end surface 608 and theend surface 610 and presses surfaces of the second lock element 422against surfaces of the inner housing 426. By pressing the second lockelement 422 against the inner housing 426 in this way, the surfaces ofthe second lock element 422 interfere with the surfaces of the innerhousing 426 and lock the position of the inner housing 426 relative tothe outer housing 424.

In order to adjust the laser mount 400 from the unlocked configurationshown by FIG. 8 to the locked configuration shown by FIG. 9 , the firstlock element 408 is tightened against the arm 406. For example, asdescribed above, the first lock element 408 may include threads adaptedto engage with counterpart threads of the passage of the slideableelement 412. In the unlocked configuration, the threads of the firstlock element 408 may not be fully engaged with the counterpart threadsof the passage of the slideable element 412 (e.g., each thread of thefirst lock element 408 may not be engaged with a correspondingcounterpart thread of the passage). However, the first lock element 408may be rotated around axis 414 (e.g., by a tool) in order to increasethe engagement of the threads of the first lock element 408 with thecounterpart threads of the passage. By increasing the engagement of thethreads of the first lock element 408 with the counterpart threads ofthe passage, the first lock element 408 may be driven in the directionof the second lock element 422 in order to press the end surface 608 ofthe first lock element 408 against the end surface 610 of the secondlock element 422.

As described above, pressing the end surface 608 of the first lockelement 408 against the end surface 610 of the second lock element 422(e.g., by driving the first lock element 408 toward the second lockelement 422) causes the second lock element 422 to press against theinner housing 426 in order to lock the movement of the inner housing 426relative to the outer housing 424.

However, driving the first lock element 408 toward the second lockelement 422 additionally drives the slideable element 412 away from thesecond lock element 422 and presses the slideable element 412 againstthe top, inner surface 803 of the arm 406 forming the slot 410. In thisway, the movement of the inner housing 426 relative to the outer housing424 and the movement of the slideable element 412 relative to the slot410 and arm 406 may be locked or unlocked together via the single inputof the locking mechanism (e.g., head 415 of the first lock element 408).Specifically, as the slideable element 412 is driven away from thesecond lock element 422 due to the engagement of the first lock element408 with the passage of the slideable element 412, the first end 806 andsecond end 808 of the slideable element 412 may temporarily bend (e.g.,curve) slightly at the notches 804. For example, the first end 806 maybend at the notch 804 positioned at the first end 806, and the secondend 808 may bend at the notch 804 positioned at the second end 808. Thebending of the first end 806 and second end 808 may increase the amountby which the first lock element 408 is able to be driven toward thesecond lock element 422 and may increase the amount of force applied tothe second lock element 422 by the first lock element 408 as well as theamount of force applied to the inner surface 803 of the arm 406 by theslideable element 412. The increased amount of force applied to thesecond lock element 422 by the first lock element 408 may increase alocking strength of the second lock element 422 against the innerhousing 426. Additionally, pressing the slideable element 412 againstthe top, inner surface 803 of the arm 406 via the first lock element 408locks the position of the slideable element 412 within the slot 410.Increasing the amount of force applied to the inner surface 803 of thearm 406 by the slideable element 412 as described above may increase alocking strength of the slideable element 412 against the inner surface803.

In the configuration described above, the position of the inner housing426 relative to the arm 406 is lockable via the first lock element 408without additional fasteners. Further, because the laser (e.g., laser600) may be coupled to the inner housing 426 and the position of thelaser may be adjusted via adjustment of the position of the innerhousing 426 as described above, the position of the laser relative tothe arm 406 is lockable via the first lock element 408 withoutadditional fasteners.

As one example of operating the laser mount 400, the laser mount 400 maybe coupled to the gantry of the imaging system via the bracket 402(shown by FIGS. 4-5 ). The laser 600 (shown by FIG. 6 ) may be coupledto the inner housing 426 via the clamp 436, such that the rotation ofthe laser 600 is locked to the rotation of the inner housing 426. Thefirst lock element 408 may be loosened (e.g., not fully engaged with thepassage of the slideable element 412) such that the second lock element422 is not pressed against the inner housing 426 by the first lockelement 408, and the slideable element 412 is not pressed against theinner surface 803. The operator may adjust the position of the laser 600by adjusting the position of the inner housing 426 until the beam ofvisible light produced by the laser 600 is directed toward the desiredtarget (e.g., the location at which the beam of x-rays produced by thex-ray radiation source of the imaging system intercepts the center ofrotation of the imaging system). For example, the operator may rotatethe inner housing 426 within the outer housing 424 and/or slide theslideable element 412 within the slot 410 in order to adjust theposition of the inner housing 426 and laser 600 relative to the arm 406and gantry of the imaging system. The operator may then adjust the lasermount from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration bytightening the first lock element 408 against the arm 406 (e.g., furtherengaging the threads of the first lock element 408 with the counterpartthreads of the passage of the slideable element 412). Tightening thefirst lock element 408 against the arm 406 engages the second lockelement 422 with the inner housing 426 to lock the rotation of the innerhousing 426 relative to the outer housing 424. Additionally, tighteningthe first lock element 408 against the arm 406 presses the slideableelement 412 against the top, inner surface 803 of the arm 406 to lockthe position of the slideable element 412 relative to the arm 406 andthe gantry of the imaging system. In this way, in the unlockedconfiguration, the position of the laser 600 may be adjusted with fourdegrees of freedom (e.g., three rotational degrees of freedom aroundaxes 414, 418, and 442 as shown by FIG. 4 , and one translational degreeof freedom in directions 444 and 446 as shown by FIG. 4 ), and byadjusting the laser mount 400 from the unlocked configuration to thelocked configuration via tightening the single first lock element 408against the arm 406, the position of the laser 600 may be locked withrespect to all four degrees of freedom (e.g., the laser 600 is lockedfrom rotating around axes 414, 418, and 442, and is further locked fromtranslating in directions 444 and 446).

As described above, in some examples, the slideable element 412, outerhousing 424, and extension 420 may be formed together as a single,continuous piece (e.g., a single unit). In one example, the slideableelement 412, outer housing 424, and extension 420 may be formed togetherfrom a same material via an additive manufacturing process (e.g., 3Dprinting). Similarly, the inner housing 426 and its components (e.g.,clamp 436, protrusions 428, 430, and 432, etc.) may be formed togethervia the additive manufacturing process. The arm 406 may additionally beformed via the additive manufacturing process as a separate piecerelative to the inner housing 426 and outer housing 424.

Each component of the laser mount 400 may be manufactured at least inpart using an additive manufacturing process such as 3D printing. Byutilizing additive manufacturing, the inner housing 426 may be seatedwithin the outer housing 424 during manufacturing in a fast and low-costmanner, without utilizing multiple individual structures that are weldedor otherwise fastened together. Further, changes to the geometry of thelaser mount, such as changes in a diameter of the inner housing 426and/or outer housing 424, as well as changes to the overall dimensionsof the laser mount, may be made by adjusting the model of the lasermount used as instructions for the additive manufacturing, and withoututilizing completely different manufacturing equipment. Thus, a varietyof different laser mounts may be manufactured for different sized lasersor imaging system gantries and/or for different desired properties at alarge scale and low cost.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 1000 formanufacturing a laser mount configured to be housed in a vaporizingchamber of an anesthetic vaporizer system, such as laser mount 400 ofFIG. 4 . Method 1000 may be carried out at least in part by a 3Dprinting device, which may be operatively/communicatively coupled to aprinter-interfacing computing device.

At 1002, method 1000 includes obtaining or generating a 3D model of thelaser mount. The model of the laser mount may be a computer aided design(CAD) file, additive manufacturing file (AMF), or other 3D modelingfile. The 3D model of the laser mount may be generated on theprinter-interfacing computing device. In some examples, the 3D model maybe generated entirely from operator instructions via the CAD program. Inother examples, the 3D model may be generated at least in part frominformation received from a 3D scanner (e.g., a laser scanner) that mayimage a physical model of the laser mount. The 3D model may define thedimensions of the laser mount, exterior and interior structures of thelaser mount, and material properties of the laser mount, thereby fullyrepresenting, in a digital format, the final form of the laser mountthat will be produced.

At 1004, a plurality of 2D slices of the 3D model of the laser mount aregenerated. The slices may be generated on the printer-interfacingcomputing device and then the plurality of slices are sent to theprinting device as an STL file, or the 3D model of the laser mount maybe sent to the printing device, and the printing device may slice the 3Dmodel into the plurality of slices to generate an STL file. In doing so,the 3D model is sliced into hundreds or thousands of horizontal layersof a suitable thickness, such as horizontal layers having a thicknesswithin a range of 20 microns to 100 microns. In other examples, thehorizontal layers may have a different thickness (e.g., a thicknesswithin a range of 40 microns to 120 microns, as one non-limitingexample).

At 1006, the printing device prints the first slice on a build plate orother suitable base material. When the printing device prints from theSTL file, the printing device creates or prints the laser mountlayer-by-layer on the build plate. The printing device reads every slice(or 2D image) from the 3D model and proceeds to create the 3D lasermount by laying down (or printing) successive layers of material on anupper, planar surface of the build plate until the entire laser mount iscreated. Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced horizontalcross section of the eventually completed or printed 3D laser mount.

The printing device may be a suitable device configured to print metal,such as aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, etc., or polymers, such asacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, polyetherimide, etc. Insome examples, the printing device may utilize selective laser melting(SLM) technology, direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) technology, orother suitable metal printing technology.

During printing, the print head(s) is moved, in both horizontal andvertical directions, to complete or print each layer of the 3D model, bya controlled mechanism that is operated by control software running onthe printing device, e.g., a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) softwarepackage adapted for use with the printing device. The build plate istypically stationary with its upper planar surface parallel to ahorizontal plane, although in some examples the build plate may be movedup and down vertically (i.e., in the z-direction). The printed materialsolidifies to form a layer (and to seal together layers of the 3D lasermount), and the print head or build plate is then moved vertically priorto starting the printing of the next layer. This process is repeateduntil all layers of the 3D laser mount have been printed.

Accordingly, at 1008, method 1000 includes sequentially printing eachadditional slice. At 1010, the printed laser mount is dried and/orcured. The drying/curing of the printed laser mount may be performedafter each layer deposition, and/or the drying/curing may be performedafter the entire laser mount is printed. If support structures areprinted in the voids of the laser mount (e.g., scaffolding-likestructures or perforated structures), the support structures may beremoved manually and/or with a tool.

Thus, method 1000 provides for 3D printing of a laser mount adapted tobe coupled to a gantry of a medical imaging system. Method 1000 isdirected to printing the inner housing and outer housing of the lasermount and their components (e.g., extension 420, clamp 436, slideableelement 412, etc.) together as a first unit, with the inner housingrotatable relative to the outer housing, and printing the arm and itscomponents (e.g., slot 410, bracket 402, etc.) as a second unit separatefrom the first unit. As such, the 3D model of the laser mount mayinclude multiple 3D models, each of a different section of the lasermount. For example, the laser mount may be divided into a plurality ofsections, such as a first section that includes the inner housing andthe outer housing, and a second section that includes the arm. Eachsection may be printed independently, and then the sections may becoupled together via a fastener (e.g., first lock element 408).

In still further examples, the laser mount may be manufactured using amold. The mold may be generated by first 3D printing a model of thelaser mount in a suitable material that may be solid at room temperaturebut changes to liquid at a relatively low temperature that is greaterthan room temperature, such as wax. A plaster mold may be formed overthe wax model, and after the plaster dries, the wax may be melted anddrained from the mold. The mold may then be filled with molten metal(e.g., steel, aluminum, titanium, etc.). Once the metal cools, theplaster may be removed to generate the laser mount.

Thus, the laser mount described above with respect to FIGS. 4-9 may bemanufactured using additive manufacturing technology, such as 3Dprinting. In an example, the laser mount described herein may bemanufactured according to a computer readable medium containing computerreadable instructions which, when executed on a 3D printer, cause theprinter to print the laser mount, where the laser mount comprises aninner housing disposed within an outer housing, with the inner housingrotatable relative to the outer housing. The laser mount furthercomprises a lock element separated from each of the inner housing andthe outer housing by respective clearances

In an example, a method of creating a computer readable 3D modelsuitable for use in additive manufacturing of a laser mount configuredto be coupled (e.g., mounted) to a gantry of a medical imaging system isprovided, wherein the laser mount comprises an outer housing, an innerhousing disposed within the outer housing, a lock element positionedbetween the inner housing and the outer housing, a slideable elementjoined to an extension of the outer housing, and an arm having a slotadapted to receive the slideable element. In an example, the methodincludes obtaining specifications of the laser mount. The specificationsmay be obtained from user input (e.g., via a 3D modeling program such asCAD) and/or from information obtained from a 3D scanner. For example,the 3D scanner may image a physical model or prototype of the lasermount. The method further includes generating the computer readable 3Dmodel of the laser mount based on the obtained specifications. The 3Dmodel may be generated using CAD or another 3D modeling program. In someexamples, the method further includes sending the 3D model to a printingdevice. The 3D model may be converted into an STL file or other suitableformat readable by the printing device. The printing device may thenprint the laser mount according to the specifications set forth by the3D model.

By manufacturing the laser mount via the additive manufacturing processas described above, the inner housing and lock element may be seatedwithin the outer housing during manufacturing, and the clearancesbetween the inner housing, outer housing, and lock element may bereduced. For example, by seating the inner housing and lock elementwithin the outer housing during manufacturing via the additivemanufacturing process (e.g., printing the inner housing and lock elementwithin the outer housing while the inner housing, lock element, andouter housing are printed together from a single 3D model), the innerhousing may be more precisely aligned with the outer housing (e.g., theclearance between the inner housing and outer housing may be reduced),and the lock element may be more precisely aligned with the innerhousing (e.g., the clearance between the lock element and the innerhousing may be reduced). As a result, an amount of force to engage thelock element with the inner housing may be reduced (e.g., the fastenerdriving the lock element toward the inner housing may be driven by asmaller amount to engage the lock element with the inner housing), andan ease of movement of the inner housing within the outer housing may beincreased (e.g., a likelihood of the outer housing interfering with therotation of the inner housing may be reduced).

FIGS. 4-9 show example configurations with relative positioning of thevarious components. If shown directly contacting each other, or directlycoupled, then such elements may be referred to as directly contacting ordirectly coupled, respectively, at least in one example. Similarly,elements shown contiguous or adjacent to one another may be contiguousor adjacent to each other, respectively, at least in one example. As anexample, components laying in face-sharing contact with each other maybe referred to as in face-sharing contact. As another example, elementspositioned apart from each other with only a space there-between and noother components may be referred to as such, in at least one example. Asyet another example, elements shown above/below one another, at oppositesides to one another, or to the left/right of one another may bereferred to as such, relative to one another. Further, as shown in thefigures, a topmost element or point of element may be referred to as a“top” of the component and a bottommost element or point of the elementmay be referred to as a “bottom” of the component, in at least oneexample. As used herein, top/bottom, upper/lower, above/below, may berelative to a vertical axis of the figures and used to describepositioning of elements of the figures relative to one another. As such,elements shown above other elements are positioned vertically above theother elements, in one example. As yet another example, shapes of theelements depicted within the figures may be referred to as having thoseshapes (e.g., such as being circular, straight, planar, curved, rounded,chamfered, angled, or the like). Further, elements shown intersectingone another may be referred to as intersecting elements or intersectingone another, in at least one example. Further still, an element shownwithin another element or shown outside of another element may bereferred as such, in one example.

By configuring the laser mount as described above, the position of thelaser coupled to the laser mount may be more easily adjusted relative tothe imaging system. The laser mount may be adjusted to the unlockedconfiguration or the locked configuration via adjustment of the singlefastener coupled to the slideable element, which may increase an easewith which the position of the laser is locked and/or unlocked relativeto the imaging system. In this way, the position of the laser may beadjusted with four degrees of freedom. By manufacturing the laser mountvia the additive manufacturing process, the clearances between thevarious components of the laser mount may be reduced, and reliabilitymay be increased. Further, manufacturing the laser mount via theadditive manufacturing process may reduce a weight of the laser mount byenabling the laser mount to be manufactured with cutouts, undercuts, andother complex geometries. For example, the laser mount may bemanufactured with a plurality of openings to reduce the weight of thelaser mount, such as openings 423 shown by FIG. 4 and openings 425 shownby FIG. 5 . As a result, because the laser mount is adapted to couple tothe gantry of the imaging system, and because the laser mount may bemanufactured with the reduced weight, the laser mount contributes lessto the overall weight of the gantry of the imaging system, and thegantry may be rotated more easily (e.g., with less force) to perform ascan of a subject (e.g., a patient).

The technical effect of configuring the laser mount to include the innerhousing and lock element disposed within the outer housing, with theouter housing joined to the slideable element via the extension, is toenable the position of the laser coupled to the inner housing to beadjusted with four degrees of freedom.

In one embodiment, a medical imaging system includes: a gantry; and alaser mount including a first section fixedly coupled to the gantry anda second section moveably coupled with the first section, the secondsection including an opening adapted to receive a laser radiationsource, where the opening is movable with four degrees of freedomrelative to the first section. In a first example of the medical imagingsystem, a position of the opening relative to the first section islockable via a single input of a lock element. In a first example of themedical imaging system, the first section is a mounting arm.

In one embodiment, a medical imaging system comprises: a gantry; and alaser mount including: a first section fixedly coupled to the gantry; asecond section seated within the first section and slideable within thefirst section; and a third section seated within the second section androtatable within the second section, the third section adapted to housea laser radiation source. In a first example of the medical imagingsystem, the laser mount further comprises a lock element disposedbetween the second section and the third section with a terminal end ofthe lock element positioned within a passage of the second section, thelock element adapted to lock a position of the third section relative tothe second section. A second example of the medical imaging systemoptionally includes the first example, and further includes wherein thelaser mount is positioned within an interior of a housing of the gantryand is fixedly coupled to a mounting plate of the gantry within thehousing. A third example of the medical imaging system optionallyincludes one or both of the first and second examples, and furtherincludes wherein the third section is rotatable within the secondsection with three degrees of freedom. A fourth example of the medicalimaging system optionally includes one or more or each of the firstthrough third examples, and further includes wherein the second sectionis slideable within the first section with only one degree of freedom,in only a first direction and an opposing, second direction.

In one embodiment, a mount comprises: an outer housing coupled to an armof the mount by a slideable element seated within a slot of the arm; aninner housing rotatably seated within the outer housing and separatedfrom the outer housing by a first clearance; and a lock element disposedbetween the inner housing and outer housing and separated from the innerhousing by a second clearance, the lock element including a firstsurface adapted to engage with an outer surface of the inner housing tolock a position of the inner housing relative to the outer housing. In afirst example of the mount, the slideable element includes a first endand a second end adapted to engage with an inner surface of the arm tolock the outer housing to the arm. A second example of the mountoptionally includes the first example, and further includes wherein thefirst end includes a first notch and the second end includes a secondnotch, and wherein the first end is adapted to bend at the first notchto engage the inner surface and the second end is adapted to bend at thesecond notch to engage the inner surface. A third example of the mountoptionally includes one or both of the first and second examples, andfurther includes wherein the lock element includes a terminal endpositioned opposite to the first surface and disposed within a passageof the outer housing, the passage adapted to receive a shank. A fourthexample of the mount optionally includes one or more or each of thefirst through third examples, and further includes wherein in a lockedconfiguration of the mount, an end of the shank engages with theterminal end of the lock element to engage the first surface of the lockelement with the outer surface of the inner housing. A fifth example ofthe mount optionally includes one or more or each of the first throughfourth examples, and further includes wherein in the lockedconfiguration of the mount, the shank engages with the terminal end ofthe lock element to engage the slideable element with the inner surfaceof the arm. A sixth example of the mount optionally includes one or moreor each of the first through fifth examples, and further includeswherein the inner housing is rotatable within the outer housing around afirst axis, a second axis, and a third axis, with the first, second, andthird axes being mutually orthogonal to each other. A seventh example ofthe mount optionally includes one or more or each of the first throughsixth examples, and further includes wherein an end of the arm oppositeto the slot includes a bracket adapted to couple to a gantry of amedical imaging system. An eighth example of the mount optionallyincludes one or more or each of the first through seventh examples, andfurther includes wherein the outer housing includes a first openingpositioned at an end of the outer housing opposite to the lock element,the first opening extending through a thickness of the outer housing ina radial direction of the outer housing. A ninth example of the mountoptionally includes one or more or each of the first through eighthexamples, and further includes wherein the inner housing includes asecond opening positioned at an end of the inner housing opposite to thelock element, the second opening extending through a thickness of theinner housing in a radial direction of the inner housing, where thesecond opening is adapted to radially align with the first opening. Atenth example of the mount optionally includes one or more or each ofthe first through ninth examples, and further includes wherein the innerhousing includes a clamp adapted to couple an inner surface of the innerhousing to a laser diode.

In one embodiment, a medical imaging system comprises: a gantry; anx-ray radiation source; an x-ray radiation detector; and a laseralignment system adapted to indicate a position of a subject to beimaged by the medical imaging system relative to the x-ray radiationsource and x-ray radiation detector, the laser alignment systemincluding a plurality of laser mounts coupled to the gantry, with eachlaser mount moveable relative to the gantry with four degrees offreedom. In a first example of the medical imaging system, the medicalimaging system further comprises a plurality of laser radiation sources,and wherein, for each laser mount of the plurality of laser mounts, thelaser mount is coupled to a corresponding laser radiation source of theplurality of laser radiation sources, and in an unlocked configurationof the laser mount, the corresponding laser radiation source is moveablerelative to the gantry with the four degrees of freedom. A secondexample of the medical imaging system optionally includes the firstexample, and further includes wherein, for each laser mount of theplurality of laser mounts, in a locked configuration of the laser mount,the corresponding laser radiation source is not moveable relative to thegantry with the four degrees of freedom. A third example of the medicalimaging system optionally includes one or both of the first and secondexamples, and further includes wherein the four degrees of freedomincludes one translational degree of freedom and three mutuallyorthogonal rotational degrees of freedom.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unlessexplicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,”“including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having aparticular property may include additional such elements not having thatproperty. The terms “including” and “in which” are used as theplain-language equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and“wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. areused merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numericalrequirements or a particular positional order on their objects.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable a person of ordinary skillin the relevant art to practice the invention, including making andusing any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods.The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and mayinclude other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims ifthey have structural elements that do not differ from the literallanguage of the claims, or if they include equivalent structuralelements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages ofthe claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mount, comprising: an arm including a slot; a slidable element seated within the slot of the arm; an outer housing coupled to the arm of the mount by the slideable element seated within the slot of the arm; an inner housing rotatably seated within the outer housing and separated from the outer housing by a first clearance; and a lock element disposed between the inner housing and the outer housing, and separated from the inner housing by a second clearance, the lock element including a first surface adapted to engage with an outer surface of the inner housing to lock a position of the inner housing relative to the outer housing.
 2. The mount of claim 1, wherein the slideable element includes a first end and a second end adapted to engage with an inner surface of the arm to lock the outer housing to the arm.
 3. The mount of claim 2, wherein the first end includes a first notch and the second end includes a second notch, and wherein the first end is adapted to bend at the first notch to engage the inner surface and the second end is adapted to bend at the second notch to engage the inner surface.
 4. The mount of claim 1, wherein the lock element includes a terminal end positioned opposite to the first surface and disposed within a passage of the outer housing, and a shank, wherein the passage is adapted to receive the shank.
 5. The mount of claim 4, wherein in a locked configuration of the mount, an end of the shank engages with the terminal end of the lock element to engage the first surface of the lock element with the outer surface of the inner housing.
 6. The mount of claim 4, wherein in a locked configuration of the mount, the shank engages with the terminal end of the lock element to engage the slideable element with an inner surface of the arm.
 7. The mount of claim 1, wherein the inner housing is rotatable within the outer housing around a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis, with the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis being mutually orthogonal to each other.
 8. The mount of claim 1, wherein an end of the arm opposite to the slot includes a bracket adapted to couple to a gantry of a medical imaging system.
 9. The mount of claim 1, wherein the outer housing includes a first opening positioned at an end of the outer housing opposite to the lock element, the first opening extending through a thickness of the outer housing in a radial direction of the outer housing.
 10. The mount of claim 9, wherein the inner housing includes a second opening positioned at an end of the inner housing opposite to the lock element, the second opening extending through a thickness of the inner housing in a radial direction of the inner housing, where the second opening is adapted to radially align with the first opening.
 11. The mount of claim 1, wherein the inner housing includes a clamp adapted to couple an inner surface of the inner housing to a laser diode. 